Feast of The Epiphany

I think we are always in danger of leaving little Jesus in his crib. Infants are cuddly and cute. We find babies appealing, non-threatening, beautiful. We like small children, they remind us of fun, gladness and joy. But anyone who ends up brutally executed on a cross, cannot be adequately described by just "swaddling clothes." You see, the Church gives us this feast of the Epiphany to remind us that the baby of Bethlehem grew up. The Epiphany reminds us that Jesus' life is just beginning. "And now, the rest of the story..."

At the center of this feast of Epiphany, we have three wise men, astrologers, magi, choose the name you like best. We really know very little about them. We don't even know where they came from. But, they have their eyes fixed on a star and they follow it with determination. They are foreigners, pagans, outsiders, yet they search for truth.

Their journey brings them to a simple, poor couple with a baby son. They bring gifts that tell us today that this is no ordinary baby. Gold proclaims Jesus as King. Incense is the gift for priests and indicates the presence of God. So far so good: Jesus is King of kings. Jesus is God among us in the flesh, bringing us to the Father.

Now comes the problem. Myrrh, the third gift, is a symbol of sorrow, suffering and death. Myrrh is used to bury people! Imagine giving birth, and someone bringing embalming fluid as a gift. What a thing to have to think about so close to Christmas!

But that's the point. As we celebrate Christmas, we must also remember Easter. Jesus was born among us to teach us to love. He died and rose again to prove it. The feast of the Epiphany is the opening of salvation to all people. Christianity is being proclaimed as a way of life for all people, not just a limited few. Every one of us here is made ONE in seeking the Lord.

You see, hopefully, WE are the magi. WE are the ones who search for God in our lives. WE are the ones who search for truth. But sometimes, things get in the way. Maybe we think we are BETTER than others. Maybe we think we are WORSE, or more sinful than others. Epiphany reminds us that JESUS came for all people: for the Jews, for the shepherds, for the Magi. Jesus came for us, each of us.

Epiphany compels us to pay attention: We must look again at the events we may have taken for granted a few days ago. We are called to think more carefully about who it is that has come at Bethlehem and is on his way to a cross. We are challenged to examine our own commitment to this mission.

It's nice to think of the baby in a manger, but if you are serious about a Christian commitment, we must also follow him, to the cross.